Foothills County is readying itself for a gradual return to business-as-usual.
The municipal building may be reopened to the public with restrictions, and though a date has not been set measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of staff and residents.
“Council did approve putting in the glass partitions in the office and that should happen within the next week or two,” said CAO Harry Riva Cambrin.
The public works shop will be outfitted in similar fashion and the cost should be about $4,000, he said.
Work is being done to determine what needs to be put in place at Scott Seaman Sports Rink, as well as fire halls where people visit to apply for fire permits.
Office furniture will also be adjusted to keep staff safe.
“On the good news side of this, all the expenses we’ve incurred with respect to this event we will be able to use the MSI operating grant to cover them, unless there is a specialized grant that comes through,” said Riva Cambrin. “So we will be able to cover off our costs not utilizing tax dollars.”
Council meetings will continue to be livestreamed for the time being and Riva Cambrin said the County needs to consider when it may be able to return to hosting council meetings in chambers.
There would be a couple of options to maintain physical distancing, including folding in the table and extending its ends to make a larger meeting area, or to install barriers between councillors at the table, he said.
“We won’t be able to allow the public, of course,” said Riva Cambrin.
The County office has been closed Fridays during May to reduce expenses for the municipality by cutting staff hours. In June, normal hours will resume but schedules will be developed to ensure numbers are manageable.
“We’re not prepared to have all our staff here, so we’ll have to co-ordinate who can come in to make sure we don’t overwhelm, or don’t meet our requirements of Occupational Health and Safety,” said Riva Cambrin.
He said the public works crews will also return to regular 48-hour weeks beginning June 1.
For more information on closures and restrictions in the County visit www.foothillscounty.com
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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